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Obama 'plans Daschle health post' Obama 'plans Daschle health post'
(about 3 hours later)
US President-elect Barack Obama will appoint senior Democrat Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services Secretary, according to US media reports.US President-elect Barack Obama will appoint senior Democrat Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services Secretary, according to US media reports.
Mr Daschle was the Democrats' Senate Majority Leader from 2001 until 2003.Mr Daschle was the Democrats' Senate Majority Leader from 2001 until 2003.
As head of the health and human services department, Mr Daschle will oversee Mr Obama's proposed reforms to the US healthcare system.As head of the health and human services department, Mr Daschle will oversee Mr Obama's proposed reforms to the US healthcare system.
Mr Obama has said that establishing a system of universal healthcare coverage is one of his top priorities. Mr Obama's transition team has confirmed a number of other key advisers and secretary post.
Senate heavyweightSenate heavyweight
The BBC's Adam Brookes, in Washington, says the decision to appoint Mr Daschle shows that Mr Obama feels he needs a senate heavyweight to help him persuade Congress to back major reforms.
During the election campaign, Mr Obama pledged to offer a new state-administered health insurance plan to people who are currently uninsured, while assuring people who are satisfied with their existing employer-provided coverage that they would not be forced to give it up.During the election campaign, Mr Obama pledged to offer a new state-administered health insurance plan to people who are currently uninsured, while assuring people who are satisfied with their existing employer-provided coverage that they would not be forced to give it up.
The details of his reform package could change, however, as Mr Obama attempts to push legislation through Congress.The details of his reform package could change, however, as Mr Obama attempts to push legislation through Congress.
The BBC's Adam Brookes, in Washington, says the decision to appoint Mr Daschle shows that Mr Obama feels he needs a senate heavyweight to help him persuade Congress to back the reforms.
The news of Mr Daschle's probable appointment follows reports that Mr Obama has decided to appoint Eric Holder as his attorney-general, and may ask former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination Hillary Clinton to serve as secretary of state.The news of Mr Daschle's probable appointment follows reports that Mr Obama has decided to appoint Eric Holder as his attorney-general, and may ask former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination Hillary Clinton to serve as secretary of state.
Key posts that were announced by Mr Obama's transition team on Wednesday were:
  • Senior Advisor to the President: David Axelrod - served as President-elect Obama's Chief Strategist during the presidential campaign, and led Obama's 2004 Senate campaign.
  • Staff Secretary: Lisa Brown - Executive Director of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy. She served as Counsel to Vice President Gore from September 1999 to January 2001.
  • White House Counsel: Gregory Craig - served under President Bill Clinton as Assistant to the President and Special Counsel. He worked for Senator Edward M Kennedy as Senior Advisor on Defense, Foreign Policy, and National Security from 1984-1988.
  • Cabinet Secretary: Chris Lu - has worked for Mr Obama as Legislative Director and Acting Chief of Staff in Obama's Senate office, as well as a policy advisor during the presidential campaign. He is now the Executive Director of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.